NBC Sports Chicago and the White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks have confirmed a multi-year media rights deal that provides NBC Sports Chicago with exclusive local, multi-platform media rights to present game coverage of all three teams starting with the 2019-2020 season.
The deal, which is subject to the approval of MLB, NBA and NHL will see NBC Sports Chicago and NBC Sports Chicago+ retain the exclusive regional home for all regular season games, pre-season/spring training, and the opening round of post-season coverage for the Bulls and Blackhawks.
David Preschlack, President, NBC Sports Regional Networks and Platform & Content Strategy commented: “The Chicago White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks have provided countless memorable moments for this city’s fans, and NBC Sports Chicago has been dedicated to immersive coverage of each and every one. This is a significant agreement, and we are proud to continue to provide the most comprehensive, multi-platform coverage of these historic franchises.”
Jerry Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls/White Sox Chairman added: “We are very pleased to extend our relationship with our partners at NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to being the experts in consistently delivering the finest game and surrounding game coverage in the business, it is their year-round commitment to providing our fans with innovative and entertaining multi-platform content that makes NBC Sports Chicago among the very best in the regional sports industry.
“Chicago sports fans are the greatest, and we are pleased that this agreement allows for the very best access to Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox live action and content.”
Rocky Wirtz, Chicago Blackhawks Chairman also commented on the new partnership: “Blackhawks fans should be very excited that we are continuing our partnership with NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to raising the bar on our game day broadcasts, NBC Sports Chicago has elevated non-game day television coverage and evolved their digital and social media platforms into some of the most viewer-friendly in the industry.”